What is SSL and do I need it?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data transmitted between your website and visitors' browsers.

You can tell a site has SSL by the padlock icon and 'https://' in the URL. Yes, you absolutely need it. Google has confirmed SSL as a ranking factor, Chrome marks non-SSL sites as 'Not Secure' (which scares visitors away), and SSL is required for processing any sensitive information like contact forms or payments. Most hosting providers include free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt. There's no reason not to have it. If your site still shows 'http://' without the padlock, fix this immediately - it's hurting your credibility and search rankings.